Shaftesbury freestyle skier Lloyd Wallace became a two-time Olympian last week competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics in the aerials discipline. The former Port Regis and Kings Bruton pupil celebrated his 27th birthday in the Olympic Village two days before his event. He scored 108 points in the first round placing him 21st overall while setting a new British record.

The aerials event, sees skiers shoot off a 4m high jump and perform triple somersaults like the winter equivalent of high diving but with a steep snowy landing. The event was won by Qi Guangpu of China with 129 points.

“It was an amazing experience and I am incredibly proud to have represented TeamGB again. I took two years off competing after the 2018 Pyeongchang Games to return to University of Bath and complete a master’s degree, but I knew I had more to go with my potential in freestyle skiing. It was very difficult to qualify for these Games, only the top 25 in the world get a place.

“Also the difficulties of travelling in a covid world, plus I have been self-funding throughout, working as a sports agent to other Olympians and Paralympians. So it was a huge relief to be able to get through and do my absolute best – the two jumps I performed were the best I have ever done them, so all the work and training and effort was totally worthwhile.”

“I have to accept that we are not an alpine nation and I’ve been very lucky that I’ve been able to travel and train with the Swiss team who have taken me into their programme. Just getting the respect of those teams is reward enough.”

Lloyd is back in Shaftesbury for a few days before heading off for the final World Cups of the season in Russia in early March.